05 Feb 2026 What a great place. Located at 525 S. St. Mary's St., it is a hidden gem. It is part of Hermann Sons. I meet some former co-workers for drinks every couple of months. We chose this place for today. I was unfamiliar on where to enter the bar, so I called the number listed in Yelp. Lorrie answered and told me the front door is unlocked at 5pm and that's where you enter. We got there at 5:10 pm and the door was locked, so I called again. Lorrie said the bartender must be talking to someone so she'll call him. The bartender comes down and unlocks the door. Come to find out, Lorrie is the bartenders wife. The phone number listed in Yelp is their home number. Geez, I was hoping to meet Lorrie because she was so damn friendly and helpful. But no, she's at home. Chris, her husband, is tending the bar. He too, is muy friendly. We had a great time. Great service and reasonably-priced drinks. Beer and wine only. No hard stuff. But the beer selection is primo. Also an array of Austin Eastsiders drinks. At least ten different flavors. Trivia is a big deal on Friday nights. Chris says it's pretty serious. I say go there. read more

Rathskeller Bar - Feb 2026 interior shot - Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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This place is super historic! The bar feels like you literally stepped into a time capsule. There is a pool table, a popcorn machine with free serve-yourself popcorn, cheap drinks, and snacks like bags of chips for purchase. Sometimes they have live music, or trivia nights. A hidden gem for a no frills, chill place to hang. read more

Rathskeller Bar - Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Playing trivia tonight! It is so fun and great vibes. The drinks are cold, the questions are fun, and everyone is very friendly.

One of my all-time favorites for fish and chips is from @roseysfishandchips. Dad and I had first visited when Matthew was @goodkindsouthown. He's now @hermannsonsrathskeller Thursday and Saturday evenings.We've been wanting to visit and finally headed downtown last night. This fall, Matthew would have had his food truck for 5 years. He uses swai fish, and it has just the right crisp. Be ready to get a big piece of fish and a generous serving of chips (thick cut fries). You get both tartar sauce and malt vinegar for the fish. Dad and I shared one order while hubby had his own. Very consistent quality of food! @hermannsonsrathskeller has happy hour Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5pm to 7pm. Dad had Sprite, hubby had the Coors Banquet on happy hour, and I had an Austin Eastcider Orange Cranberry Cider. The total for all the drinks was $8 - what a deal! For those that don't know, @hermannsonsrathskeller is the oldest bar in San Antonio. Open mic night is on Thursdays and Trivia Night at 7pm on Fridays. They also have live bands. One thing to note is that it has its own private parking lot and free parking! The Hermann Sons building is historic as the fraternal order of German immigrants formed in San Antonio in 1890. It has a bowling alley, which was used by members. Last night, there was swing dance happening in the ballroom. Something else the building is known for is its paranormal activity. Staff typically by themselves have heard noises, doors opening and closing seen on security cameras, and seeing figures in the hallway. If you're interested to read more about Hermann Sons and its history, Jennifer Stanford (our bartender) has written several articles: https://hsha-throwback-thursday.mailchimpsites.com read more

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This is a great time capsule of a bar. Our social club held our Halloween party here and the owner was very accommodating. There is pay parking directly behind the bar and there is. Parking lot next door to it. The bar serves wine and beer at a good price. If you rent the bar for an event, your guests are assured free parking and you can bring in catering or have a potluck. There is a nice game room with darts, tiki toss and various board games. The bar has a stage and plenty of seating. The women's bathroom has an old school lounge which I love. This bar is in a building that historically housed the Herman and Sons society and was built to be a fallout shelter. There is a ballroom on the 3rd floor that can be rented as well for events or dance classes. They have Trivia on Friday nights and I can't wait to go check that out and have a fun time here again. Last night we went and they were doing a David Lynch tribute! Definitely a great, less expensive and relaxed space to enjoy a drink in downtown San Antonio. read more

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I felt like I stepped right out of the Delorean back in time. This bar does hold the oldest beer license I. San Antonio and they do use it well. Lots of cold ones to quench your thirst. Great vibe and friendly people. The bartender was fast and friendly. We showed up for Tricia nite which was lots of fun. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Great environment Friday trivia with joe should not be missed. $2.00 beers during happy hour in downtown San Antonio, are you kidding me!!! Oldest continuous liquor license in San Antonio, come on son!!! A most stop on your next trip! read more

Rathskeller Bar - Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Best kept secret in Southtown. I seriously don't want to even post about it on Yelp, but I have to do my due diligence. I went on friday and they had beer specials, kind of like la tuna, but EVEN CHEAPER, no liquor around which is OK. They have pineapple cider, all kinds of beer and TV'S. The bartender sometimes shouts out questions and if you guess right, guess what you get? A FREE BEER, she's cool with her hipster hair and cool chill attitude. Didn't catch her name, but she was awesome. The people there were cool too, met a girl who said they have a bowling alley and event center above the bar. They even have snacks, cheap snacks. But the best kept secret is free bar tabs if you win trivia and when we went hardly any one was there so you MIGHT WIN 30 DOLLARS FREE BEER. Dang should I have written this? read more

Rathskeller Bar - Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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One of the coolest bars in downtown area wish I knew of it sooner. Great prices and nice atmosphere.

Hey Tourist! Check this local pub and learn from Texan culture and San Antonio history. On Friday night trivia you might get lucky and get to visit and very unique and old part of the building. No Spoilers. Honestly I would classify this little pub as a speak easy. You really would walk right past it. While not glamorous it provides a sense of tradition you lose on the river walk. Suggestions- I'd love to see the club do more festivals in the back parking lot. Moose Out read more

You'll agree that 5 stars is the perfect rating if you share the following sentiments. 1. You LOVE a great Rathskeller. Certainly no small feat in SA. Seriously, a Rathskeller!!! 2. You appreciate a great bargain. Ordered a Lone Star Light for $2.75. 3. You want to get away from the crowds. Sitting here at 7pm on Friday with just 8 other locals. I like a quiet gem so sharing this post with you might not be in my best interest. 4. You dig local SA history. The walls are littered with fascinating, black and white pics of the Rathskeller in its heyday. read more

Rathskeller Bar - Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

This bar feels like it's been around forever. It's like a pub that time forgot. Walking in here, you feel like you're transported back to 1950's San Antonio, and they forgot to change the music, or the beer prices! For a downtown bar, this place has some cheap beers. Domestics are the name of the game here. They're not getting fancy with imports or craft beers. They have a few snacks behind the bar as well. The bartender is friendly, service is quick. The bar is clean, and well lit. There are pool tables and dart boards in the back of the place, so there's lots to do. Free popcorn! Help yourself! It can be a bit difficult to find this place. It's under the bowling alley that the Sons of Herman Hall run, in a the basement of a white building. There is a lot for parking here, but I'm always scared to park here. There's live music here- from stuff that sounds like open mic to rockin' cajun bands. I plan on doing much more hanging out here now that I've found the place! read more

It breaks my heart to be the Rathskeller's first non-five star review! This is the kind of place that Anthony Bourdain should feature in San Antonio. Grab a Lone Star or a Pearl and soak in a blast from the past. The Rathskeller is in the basement of an old Fraternal Lodge Building and still serves the Lodge on various nights of the week. The neon lights and decor have obviously not changed in 30 year and that's part of the charm. (The beer prices also haven't changed in as many years! CHEAP!) The tables are classic and the Pledge of Allegiance is posted in German on the wall. The night I was there it was just the grandmotherly bartender who is the manager and a dude who spoke french half the night and lamented on mistakes he had made over the last 40 years. This is what every new trendy dive bar is trying to mimic. I thought it was incredible! We'll see how long it can keep it's doors open as the Lodge community grows older but this is the kind of community pub that is a true gem in the middle of the city. In some ways I hope it stays a secret to keep the charm and in others I hope it draws more people so that it sticks around forever. read more

Good lord, this place is the bomb diggity. The bar I've been looking for my whole life. Cheap prices, decent beer and wine selection, awesome mid-century time capsule of a room with oodles of sincere, folky charm. Nice, nice folks running the bar. Free parking behind the building. I love it to pieces and wouldn't change a thing. Get yourself here and become a regular before everyone else does. Do it. read more

Fun trivia night every Friday, cheap drinks, and everyone is friendly. Love this spot!

Awesome place..trivia guy great. Cold beer and cheapest beer in downtown. People are great and Steve the bartender is talkative.

Very relaxed bar and EXTREMELY inexpensive beer and wine!!!! Be prepared for very friendly bartenders and just a chill place to enjoy great drinks with friends and to meet tourists. Highly recommend! read more

Rathskeller Bar - Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Love Friday night trivia. Try not to miss it. Dan is entertaining and the bar staff is the best.

Discovered this divey basement hole in the wall gem last night admiring the building architecture. I think I can say there have been no upgrades to the decor in fifty years. Cheap beer, wine and local ciders are all they offer. It holds the distinction of the Longest operating alcohol license in San Antonio. Three of us got very happy here for under $20 total. read more

Still our favorite dive bar for beer and trivia. Beer is cheap, service is good and trivia is funny.

We love Rathskellar! The drinks are cheap, the service is great, and Dan rocks trivia!

This place is amazing. Cold beer. Trivia night. Popcorn. Nothing could go wrong. They have ample parking. read more

What a nice,clean place for a mature crowd to get a beer and relax. We have enjoyed the local music here.

This is definitely the best place for a cold beer, friendly people and Friday night trivia. Did I mention there is free parking even though it's located downtown ? Priceless!!!! read more

This is like a bar out of the shining. Very divey and very very cool. If you're looking for a quiet and chill spot to drink super affordable beer and wine near the riverwalk, this is the place to go read more

This is a cool, historical downtown dive bar! You'll see some locals and tourists alike which makes trivia night even more fun. Trivia night happens at 7 pm on Fridays and is so much fun. The specials include $2 domestic beers. read more

But soft what light through yonder fluorescent bulb breaks. It is the east and Rathskeller bar is the Sun. Arise fair son and kill the envious other bars. Who are already sick and pale with overpriced brews. That thou her Rathskeller bar art far more fair than she. Shakespeare circa 2019 read more

A great place over watch the river walk and people watch while enjoying live music. However the food is so so. The drinks leave a lot to be desired. read more

Trivia got me coming here and I love it! I talk about it all the time! It's a good time and a piece of history. It's non profit so I'm happy to spend money on low priced, local beers. I can't wait until more people come here so they can get the bowling alley running again! read more

cool underground bar with cheap beer! this is my first time here, but I'm having a fun time at friday night trivia! I can't wait to visit again read more

Such a gem if you like dives/speakeasy's. I'm from NYC so I'm no stranger to the vibes but this Raths is legit. I will endlessly promote them read more

Great place to drink cheap beer after work or before going out on the town. It's also got the old-school Texas German thing going on. Definitely worth visiting. read more

This place is great. Cheap drinks, friendly environment, good music. This is everything I was looking for in a neighborhood bar.

Just a great, authentic, German pub. Perfect atmosphere and decent trivia on Fridays.

This is a great little bar! They have fun trivia on Friday nights!! We love it here. Great drink prices and everyone is so friendly.

We love trivia at this bar! Dan and Caitlin are the best trivia jockies?the drinks are amazing and the prices can't be beat! If you are downtown you should head this way! Friday at 7 pm is trivia! read more

Awesome! Fun trivia on Fridays and great atmosphere (makes you feel like you've gone back in time). Friendly bar staff.

Doing trivia tonight! Love this bar! Wonderful people and a super fun atmosphere! I highly recommend coming in on a Friday night and meeting new friends. read more

We love the Rathskeller! We go here for trivia every Friday night. Dan, the trivia host, is hilarious & the bartenders are awesome! Cheap drinks & snacks. read more

I stumbled upon this place while walking down St. Mary's St. I would have continued walking right past the building had it not been for the unassuming sign outside listing the happy hour specials for the day. The bar itself is in the basement of the building. As I walked down the stairs and entered the bar I felt like I had been transported back into the 1980s as a result of the amazing wood panel walls, retro furniture and 80s synth-pop music playing. The drinks were cheap (they only serve beer and wine at the time this review is being written) and they had a great happy hour (although i do not remember the specific prices at this time). I believe the building is owned by the Hermann Sons Life Fraternity next door and they were hosting a bingo game in the adjacent room to the bar which I was kindly invited to join. If you're in San Antonio do yourself a favor and skip the tourist trap bars on the River Walk and stop by Rathskeller Bar for a drink. read more